Titanic Mkiii 15"

[GMichael]

OH MY G.D! IT IS A MONSTER!

I just unboxed this baby. It is HUGE! More later.
Back to the assembly.

[L.J.]

OH MY G.D! IT IS A MONSTER!

I just unboxed this baby. It is HUGE! More later.
Back to the assembly.

What........your still not done yet!!!

[GMichael]

What........your still not done yet!!!

Total time for assembly (including running to Lowes for spray adhesive) 70 minutes. If you know what you're doing, this could be put together in 10 minutes. I saw a lot of reviews where people had trouble with the internal nuts digging into the MDF during installation. I was worried about this until I saw that they now pre-install these nuts for you. The kit still comes with extras with the rest of the hardware. The instructions say to toss them out. This thing is built like a tank! Can you say big? No, bigger than that. Yeah, BIG!

So now it's together. Spikes in, and placed on top of the little nickel sized supports that are included. First thing in was Chicago's greatest hits. And hit it does. Had to turn it down. Played the first few songs and then threw in some Genesis. It sounds great! I missed last Friday's Battle Star so I figured that this would be a good time to let the DVR do it's job too. Oh my! My chest was shaking as a ship coasted by. (never mind that space is a vacuume. the sound was incredible) Only one problem. I hear dishes rattling in the kitchen. As luck would have it, it was just a couple in the sink. Put them in the washer and everything was good again.

This thing really rocks. It hits you like a ton of bricks. But it is under control with the parametric EQ. I haven't had a chance to calibrate it yet so I just dialed it to 18htz and turn it up 3db at a narrow band. It's not boomy at all and is tight as h.ll. I can't wait to get home tonight and put in Jurassic Park III and Polar Express.

The infinity PS-12 moved into the bedroom to replace the 6.5 inch semi-sub that was in there. This was another huge plus. Well worth the reduced price for the holidays. If it's been on your wish list, it's time to take a good hard look. And maybe even pull that trigger?

[L.J.]

I called PE and the kits will be on sale until 1/04. That gives me a couple of months. The return policy is 45 days. They'll honor it even if the sub has been put together.

[GMichael]

I called PE and the kits will be on sale until 1/04.

While supplies last.

The return policy is 45 days. They'll honor it even if the sub has been put together.

Return? Not me. The only way this is leaving my house is if someone breaks in and steals it.

[L.J.]

The only way this is leaving my house is if someone breaks in and steals it.

Hmmmm

[Dusty Chalk]

I hear dishes rattling in the kitchen. As luck would have it, it was just a couple in the sink. Put them in the washer and everything was good again.

I want a sub that does that!

[GMichael]

I want a sub that does that!

My kitchen, living and dining rooms are all one room. (about 700sqft) But, yeah, I like it!

LJ,

It would cost you as much to drive here, stay in hotels along the way, and drive back as it would to just buy one. How about you just fly out and we'll let you stay on the couch (same room as the sub) for a few days?

[L.J.]

Darn you GM and your "while supplies last" comments. You pushed me over the edge. Mine will be here early next week.

[kexodusc]

Oh no...what have I done....

Congrats on the Titanic, boys...Lemme know when you're ready for some tweaking...

Not a bad sub for the buck, eh?

[GMichael]

Oh no...what have I done....

Congrats on the Titanic, boys...Lemme know when you're ready for some tweaking...

Not a bad sub for the buck, eh?

Dude! Did you notice that you cracked 5000 posts? Way to go! 3 cheers for Kexy.

HIP HIP HORAY...
HIP HIP HORAY...
HIP HIP YEHAAAAAAAAAA...........

Yeah, so far I'm loving it.
What kind of tweaks have you got in mind?

[L.J.]

Sub came yesterday. This thing is freakin' HUGE!!!!!!

[GMichael]

Sub came yesterday. This thing is freakin' HUGE!!!!!!

This must be together for a couple of days now. So. what do you think? What have you played and how did it sound?

[L.J.]

This must be together for a couple of days now. So. what do you think? What have you played and how did it sound?

Haven't had a chance to really play with it yet. I put in a DTS demo disc I have to make sure it worked. It has clips from I-Robot, Hero, Kill Bill, LOTR. I really can't do a proper demo because I have no place to put it right now. Anyways, yeah this thing can hit hard. Very clean bass. My gain was set to about 4 and the EQ level at 0. I'm not even gonna bother toying with that until I find a proper resting place for this beast. So I really didn't do any calibration. Just plugged it in and made sure it worked.

By the way, did I say that this thing is freakin' HUGE!!!

[kexodusc]

Dude! Did you notice that you cracked 5000 posts? Way to go! 3 cheers for Kexy.

HIP HIP HORAY...
HIP HIP HORAY...
HIP HIP YEHAAAAAAAAAA...........

Yeah, so far I'm loving it.
What kind of tweaks have you got in mind?

Tweaking depends on your willingness to go back in there. Different damping material can really "customize" the overall punchiness, transient response, fr extension and resonances to your liking. I like pink fiberglass, or even better, rigid fiberglass or mineral wool. Poly fill might be better than the foam. You could port it and adjust port sizes for some added dB, FR, and make for a very cool way to build a variable parameter subwoofer. I have a sub that I bought plugs for and adjust the ports manually now and then. Kind of fun. I prefer the sealed sound though, but sometimes it's nice to have the +4 to +5 dB below 30 Hz for free at the expense of some musical sound quality.

Maybe even internal bracing and sealing, it's been awhile since I saw the inside of the cabinets, can't remember if their caulked or not along the seams internally (that helps prevent air leaks).

Anyhoo, for the cash, those are just about the best subs I've found still, in a pre-assembled, or kit form. Adire use to have a pretty affordable model that was impressive too but I think it wasn't worth while to them. Those should keep you satisfied for awhile.

What subs do you guys have to compare to the 15" Titanic? I get a lot of PM's from newbies and the like here (probably resulting from me shilling the Titanics so shamelessly at times) asking me about the 15" and what commercial models it compares to. My best commercial sub was the Paradigm PW-2200, but the 12" Titanic whooped that. I don't own the 15" Titanic and have only spent a few hours a few times with one - enough to know it's awesome but not make a good comparative guess..

[GMichael]

Tweaking depends on your willingness to go back in there. Different damping material can really "customize" the overall punchiness, transient response, fr extension and resonances to your liking. I like pink fiberglass, or even better, rigid fiberglass or mineral wool. Poly fill might be better than the foam. You could port it and adjust port sizes for some added dB, FR, and make for a very cool way to build a variable parameter subwoofer. I have a sub that I bought plugs for and adjust the ports manually now and then. Kind of fun. I prefer the sealed sound though, but sometimes it's nice to have the +4 to +5 dB below 30 Hz for free at the expense of some musical sound quality.

Maybe even internal bracing and sealing, it's been awhile since I saw the inside of the cabinets, can't remember if their caulked or not along the seams internally (that helps prevent air leaks).

Anyhoo, for the cash, those are just about the best subs I've found still, in a pre-assembled, or kit form. Adire use to have a pretty affordable model that was impressive too but I think it wasn't worth while to them. Those should keep you satisfied for awhile.

What subs do you guys have to compare to the 15" Titanic? I get a lot of PM's from newbies and the like here (probably resulting from me shilling the Titanics so shamelessly at times) asking me about the 15" and what commercial models it compares to. My best commercial sub was the Paradigm PW-2200, but the 12" Titanic whooped that. I don't own the 15" Titanic and have only spent a few hours a few times with one - enough to know it's awesome but not make a good comparative guess..

I have the Infinity Primus PS-12. It's a 12" rear ported sub with 350 w/rms. It was OK but was maxed out to fill our 700 sqrft main room. I was worried that it would give out at that level. It does a fine job in the bedroom now, but you can't really compare it to the MKIII. The MKIII goes lower & louder and does it with a much tighter sound. I love the sealed sub sound. I would never port it. Even at below 1/2 volume it fills every bit of the main room+, so it doesn't really need the extra boast. I'd just have to turn it down anyhow.

So, how's it going down under? When are you and wifey coming back?

[L.J.]

Tweaking depends on your willingness to go back in there. Different damping material can really "customize" the overall punchiness, transient response, fr extension and resonances to your liking. I like pink fiberglass, or even better, rigid fiberglass or mineral wool. Poly fill might be better than the foam. You could port it and adjust port sizes for some added dB, FR, and make for a very cool way to build a variable parameter subwoofer. I have a sub that I bought plugs for and adjust the ports manually now and then. Kind of fun. I prefer the sealed sound though, but sometimes it's nice to have the +4 to +5 dB below 30 Hz for free at the expense of some musical sound quality.

Maybe even internal bracing and sealing, it's been awhile since I saw the inside of the cabinets, can't remember if their caulked or not along the seams internally (that helps prevent air leaks).

Anyhoo, for the cash, those are just about the best subs I've found still, in a pre-assembled, or kit form. Adire use to have a pretty affordable model that was impressive too but I think it wasn't worth while to them. Those should keep you satisfied for awhile.

What subs do you guys have to compare to the 15" Titanic? I get a lot of PM's from newbies and the like here (probably resulting from me shilling the Titanics so shamelessly at times) asking me about the 15" and what commercial models it compares to. My best commercial sub was the Paradigm PW-2200, but the 12" Titanic whooped that. I don't own the 15" Titanic and have only spent a few hours a few times with one - enough to know it's awesome but not make a good comparative guess..

Dang!!!! I knew I should have waited to put this together. Kex where can I pick up some of that fiber glass? Is that the same stuff I would use for DIY acoustic panels?

[kexodusc]

Dang!!!! I knew I should have waited to put this together. Kex where can I pick up some of that fiber glass? Is that the same stuff I would use for DIY acoustic panels?

I bougth my fiberglass from a commercial air conditioner/heater supplier, but theres a few good sources for cheap stuff:
http://www.atsacoustics.com/cgi-bin/...0.69&act=&aff=

That's an excellent site for raw material for both acoustic panels and speakers, and the sell quality panels. Pink fiberglass might be more cost effective. The foam is well, not the greatest for a subwoofer, IMO. I'm sure many would disagree. You won't know until you try. Just line the walls with the stuff using spray adhisive or a bit of sticky glue or something. Batts of fiberglass will even hold in place if stuffed right. Rigid fiberglass might need stapling, but if you cut it to fit right should hold in place on all but the top wall. I'd glue it on though for some holding strength to be safe.

Up to you. I noticed a big difference taking some stuffing out of my 15" subs cabinet, but going with a more dense, sound absorbing material lining the walls. You're not just absorbing internal standing waves (better done by fiberglasses than foams or polyfill), but you're also changing the internal volume of the cabinet the driver "sees" by up to 20%. This changes the total system Q, affecting the "punchiness", "tightness", FR, SPL (yup, a few dB sometimes, especially at the lowest frequencies which can lead to less work for the amp) and all those other cool audiphile buzzwords. I do a bit of trial and error with all my speakers. Everyone's ears are different so there really is no "best" stuffing solution, some prefer the colorations that using no damping material creates. Some manufacturers stuff the snot out of some models to cover up shoddy cabinets. Just be careful you don't strip the screw holes down so they don't hold the driver down anymore.

[jrhymeammo]

Damn, you guys make it sound like they are novelty items. Seriously Ballzy Items.

-JRA

[kexodusc]

I don't know of any off the top of my head, but I know if you search for the GoM stuff you can get patterns of various styles. I'm guessing either a fabric shop or pro audio sound treatment company could fix you up.

[L.J.]

Kex, thanks for all the info. You've been very helpful. I don't understand though, what's the problem with using any type of fabric?

I've been trying to find some info but cant come up with anything. I did find some patterned fabric on the GoM website.

Edit: I just ran across this quote "For acoustics projects, the weave on this fabric is open enough to let the high frequencies pass through, but not so open that you can see through it." That makes sense.

[kexodusc]

Kex, thanks for all the info. You've been very helpful. I don't understand though, what's the problem with using any type of fabric?

I've been trying to find some info but cant come up with anything. I did find some patterned fabric on the GoM website.

Edit: I just ran across this quote "For acoustics projects, the weave on this fabric is open enough to let the high frequencies pass through, but not so open that you can see through it." That makes sense.

Good for you! Don't underestimate fabric's affect on frequency levels. There some absorption, reflection going on, especially at the highs. But if it's not acoustically transparent fabric (no fabric is 100%, but some are much better than others) the sound waves won't penetrate the fabric and get absorbed. Basically, you'll end up with a reflective surface on top of an acoustic absorptive wall panel, on top of a reflective surface which you tried to treat in the first place...

I'm trying to think where you can get patterns at but I can't recall any. Most treatments I've seen commercially have used single color fabrics, maybe a few to accent each other, but no real patterns. Gotta be some though.

[GMichael]

Hey LJ,

How's that sub working out for you? What have you watched/listened to so far?

I was home sick for almost 2 weeks, so I've seen a lot of my DVD collection over again. So far I'm loving this thing.

[L.J.]

Hey LJ,

How's that sub working out for you? What have you watched/listened to so far?

I was home sick for almost 2 weeks, so I've seen a lot of my DVD collection over again. So far I'm loving this thing.

I gotta chance to listen to some tunes (R&B) over the weekend and did a little HT demo for some family. This sub was impressive while listening to music. I'm lovin' this sub more and more. I was wastching Ice Age 2 and everytime the huge ice wall would crack the sub would hit hard and you could not only hear but really feel the ice wall shifting. I let visiting family watch the ending band battle on Drumline and let's just say there was complete silence in the house while this was playing. I also pulled out my DTS demo disc which has some great clips. Hits deep but is very smooth. Hurts me to my heart that I put it in storage yesterday

Were moving into a bigger place in a couple of months and I just didn't have anywhere to put this beast. My S12.3 will have to handle the low end for a little while longer. I was gonna get the sub in Feb. after the move but pulled the trigger early because the sale ends Jan. 4.

[GMichael]

I gotta chance to listen to some tunes (R&B) over the weekend and did a little HT demo for some family. This sub was impressive while listening to music. I'm lovin' this sub more and more. I was wastching Ice Age 2 and everytime the huge ice wall would crack the sub would hit hard and you could not only hear but really feel the ice wall shifting. I let visiting family watch the ending band battle on Drumline and let's just say there was complete silence in the house while this was playing. I also pulled out my DTS demo disc which has some great clips. Hits deep but is very smooth. Hurts me to my heart that I put it in storage yesterday

Were moving into a bigger place in a couple of months and I just didn't have anywhere to put this beast. My S12.3 will have to handle the low end for a little while longer. I was gonna get the sub in Feb. after the move but pulled the trigger early because the sale ends Jan. 4.

Glad you're liking it. Sorry about having to pack it up. I know that feeling well. Time will pass and soon you'll be having even more fun in the larger place.